I knew he wouldn't let me down. When Waterboys mainman Mike Scott enthused about this, the crucial third album, there was an inevitable underlying fear: everybody says that the new album is the best thing they've ever done - Barry Devlin once went into print claiming that 'The Unfortunate Cup Of Tea' was Horslips' masterpiece but we're not here to dig up the dirt... we're here to talk about *This Is The Sea*.

I knew he wouldn't let me down. When Waterboys mainman Mike Scott enthused about this, the crucial third album, there was an inevitable underlying fear: everybody says that the new album is the best thing they've ever done - Barry Devlin once went into print claiming that 'The Unfortunate Cup Of Tea' was Horslips' masterpiece but we're not here to dig up the dirt... we're here to talk about *This Is The Sea*.

On this voyage, for the first time in his career, Mike Scott has shared the burden of production, with Mick Glossop chiefly, and the removal of that weight has enabled him to concentrate his efforts on writing and performing. The results are staggering.

Whereas the eponymous debut had the feel of a collection of (albeit excellent) demos and the spread of recording took the edge off 'A Pagan Place', there are no such qualms about 'This Is The Sea'. It is a truly satisfying whole, an 'album' rather than a collection of good songs. The production is diamond-hard yet crystal clear, full but not slick... it never obscures the focus of attention: Scott's remarkable voice, and songs.

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